Bob Veith, the 1956 Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year who went on to compete 11 times in the race, has died. He was 81.

Veith, who drove in 54 Indy-car races from 1955-68, died Wednesday in a Santa Rosa, Calif., hospital, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Monday.

He was seventh as a rookie in the 1956 Indy 500, his best showing in the race. He started fourth in 1958, but was involved in a first-lap crash that killed Pat O’Connor.

Veith had his best Indy-car finish in August 1958 when he finished second to Jim Rathmann in the Milwaukee 200. Veith also drove in the “Race of Two Worlds,” a 500-mile event held in three segments in Italy.

Veith is survived by his daughter, Christine. No funeral services are planned.